Congress allots P70 million for drug survey

MANILA, Philippines — Congress has allocated around P70 million for the conduct of a survey and study on the extent of the drug problem in the country.

The allocation, which was provided under the 2019 budget of the Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB), was authored by Sen. Panfilo Lacson, chairman of the Senate committee on public order and dangerous drugs.

“When the survey is completed, we’ll find out if the SWS (Social Weather Station) survey is valid or not, Meantime, in the absence of any other study, we will have to rely on the SWS survey,” Lacson told reporters.

He was referring to the SWS survey conducted from Dec. 16 to 19, which showed that 66 percent of the 1,440 respondents said illegal drug use in their communities has decreased. 

Lacson said surveys conducted by reputable firms such as SWS and Pulse Asia are presumed to be accurate because of the scientific method used.

Senate President Vicente Sotto III said he believes the poll was “fairly accurate,” citing feedback from local officials.

Sen. Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III said only hardened criminals are left because of the Duterte administration’s war on drugs.

Presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo welcomed the results of the SWS survey, saying it was a validation of the success of the Duterte administration’s campaign against illegal drugs.

Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV said Malacañang should not crow about the SWS survey.

“Since you’ve killed thousands of (drug) addicts without due process and without giving them the opportunity to be rehabilitated, isn’t it natural that number of addicts will be reduced?” Trillanes asked.

“What are you celebrating, Mr. Panelo, the ruthlessness of your boss?” he added.

Thousands have been killed since the administration’s war on drugs started in 2016.

Panelo said the anti-drug campaign remains a centerpiece program of the Duterte administration.

“The political opposition and the detractors of the President have been most vocal in using the drug war to villify the Chief Executive and his administration, even bringing the issue to the International Criminal Court,” he said.